Jacob f



(No Modell) I l l I' J. F. THEURBR & P. FISCHER. PROCESS 0F ANDAPPARATUs-FOR OBTAINING AIR-FREE GARBONIG Y ACID GAQS PROMPERMENTATIGNIFOR- G'ARBONAI'INGV BEER, Sncf4 O.4 554,352. Patented Peb `1151896.v

wwufow.

- UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JACOB F. THEURER AND PAUL FISCHER, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN `ASSIGNORS TO THE PABST BREWING COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

PROCESS OF AND APPARATUS FOR UBTAINING AIR-FREE vCARBONIO-ACID GAS FROM FERMENTATlON FOR CAR BONATING BEER, &c.

SPECIFICATONforming part of Letters P 'atent N o. 554,352, dated February 11, 1896.

Application filed May 7, 1895. Serial No. 548,402. (No model.)

`T all whom it may concer/ft: y

*le it known that We,-J`AGOB F. THEURER i and PAUL FISCHER, of Milwaukee, in the countyof Milwaukee and State of Wisconsin,

have invented ceijizaim new and useful lmprovements in Processes of and Apparatus for Y Obtainin01 Air-Free Carbonio-Acid Gas fromr Fermentation for Carbonatin g Beer an'dother Purposes; and We do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled inthe art to which it pertains to make and use the saine, reference beinghad to the accompanying drawing, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which forms a' part ofx this specification. i

The main objects of our invention are to save in a condition suitable for future or iinmediate use the carbonio-acid gas produced vby fermentation of beer and other fermentable 4liquids and to utilize such gaspf'or recar bonatin g storage-beer or other liquids.

It consists essentially'in expellingr and eX- a fermenting-vessel and conducting therefrom free .from air the gas produced therein by fermentation for immediate or future use; .in the directV and continuous process of utilizing suoli" gas `for recarbonating the beer or other' beverages from Which it has been derived, or forcarbonating other liquids, and in apparatus for performing the above-nientionedoperations, as hereinafter specifically explained, and pointed out in the claims.

In the manufacture of beer'and other si1ni lar fermented beverages large" quantities of carbonic-acid gas are ,produced by fermenta tion and are generally Wasted. Efforts have been made to save and utilize this Waste gas for rccarbonating beer or other beverages and for other purposes, but the mixture of air with the gas llas rendered it unsuitable for recarbonatingbeer and for similar uses. Va-

rious attempts have .been made to separateV the air from the gas after it leaves the ferl inenting tubs or vessels, and the methods heretofore proposed for that purpose have generally depended upon the difference in .',the specific gravity of air and gas; but we have found by experience that it is'iinpracticable to separate the air directly from the gas on account of thetendency ofthe gas to diffuse and mingle ,with the air, even under the most favorable conditions. Another method in an application for United States Letters Patent, Serial No. 501,130, filed February 23, 1894, is basedyupon thefact thatwater and other liquids ,under given conditions absorb .carbonicacid gas With great facility, but do not so absorb air. While this process is prac-` cated. XVe lhave found that after active fermentation setsv in nearly if `not 'quite pure carbonic-acid gas is produced While'such fermentation continues, and upon this fact our improved process and apparatus are based.

Referring to the accompanying drawing, which shows partly in vertical sectionand partly in elevation apparatus constructed and arranged in laccordance with our invention A2 designate fermenting-tubs, some of which are such as are commonly employedinbrewcries for the manufacture of beer.

B designates an ordinary storage-Cask', and C'an extensible gas holder or receiver provided With a valved airfvent c, opening from thehighest point of the bell, and with a valve andv hose or pipe connection cf at or nearthe bottom of the outer or stationary part of the `receiver forthe purpose of filling thefreceiver with Water and withdrawing the Wat-er when the apparatus at the outset to allow any air to be expelled by infiowing. gas. Vhen once essa-ry to allow any' air whatsoever to enter the mainpipe D' or gas-receiver.

D are branch gas-collecting pipes passing between theseveral rows of tubs and conceiver C, or with a compressor,carbonator or other apparatus which` is to be supplied with air-free gas. y

The vfermentingetubs` A Ain the upper tier or story are of the ordinary opeu kind, and

of A accomplishing this separation, described ticable, it is somewhat circuitous and complinecessary. The vent c also serves. in starting for carrying into effect our process, A, A and which may collect in the top of the receiver in operation it is not intendednor is it necnected by .a main pipe Dwith the 4gasueare provided with removable bells or hoods a, a, approximately fitted into their open tops and adapted to inclose a space above the surface of the beer or liquid contained therein.

They are suspended over the tubs by chains orl nections to which are attached hose-sectionsl (l d, also provided at their outer ends with valves d and couplings by which they are connected when desired with the hose-sections a. v

In the tier or story next below, the tubs A i A are permanently closed and are provided at the uppermost points therein with ai r-vent valves or connections as as. They are severally connected at the top with the' gas-collecting mains D by branch pipes d2, which are provided with valves d3, -andwhich may terminate within the tubs in bells or flaring mouths a4 opening a short distance below thc tops of the tubs.

In the second storywe have shown amodified form `of open fermenting-tubs A2 A2. .They are provided on the outside at or near the top with annular receptacles ai d5, for holding water orother suitable sealing liquid,

and with removable bells or covers dea, the

rims of which are adapted to enter-said receptacles and thus form a gas-tight inclosure v over the open tops of the tubs. Each of the covers a( has a valve-controlled air-vent a7 leading outvof the apex or upper part thereof, and a valve-controlled -gas connection as, which may terminate inside of the cover with a flaring mouth a, like or similar to those shown in the tubs A', and provided with a valve and coupling for attachment tov a hosesection d,'which is connected with one of the gas-collecting mains D; Each bell or cover afis suspended from a trolley E, adapted to traverse a track extending over a row of "tubs, and it may thus be used to collect gas vfrom any tub of the row as desired, according to the condition or stage of fermentation taking place therein.

The severalfermenting-tubs may be provided with attempering-.coils F and F', as shown, 'for modifying or regulating the temperature' of the fermenting liquid as desired. The coils F F are'arranged so as not to' interfere with the operationl of the bells or hoods a a. I

The gas-pipe D' or one of its connections is provided with a safety-valve d4 and waste connection, bywhich overpressure is avoided in the gas-collecting system, including the fermenting-tuls, pipes D' Dl and the receiver C. At the lowest point therein the pipe D communicates with a trap d5, by which any moisture barried with the gas-into and condensing in the gas-collecting pipes is caught delivered at the desired pressure.

and preventedl from .passing into the gas-receiver C or producing back-pressure in the.

fermenting-tubs.

G is algas-pump connected on the suction side by a pipe g with the gas-receiver C,and on the force or discharge side by the pipe y with one or more gas-purifiers ll Il. suction-pipe g'communicates at the lowest point therein with a trap g2, by which any liquid drawn into or condensed in said pipe is caught and prevented from entering thc pump. The traps (Z5 and g2 being openy at the top. and having' water-supply and overlow connections serve alsoto prevent overpressure in the gas-collecting system, the maximum pressure attainable being determined by the height of the'water column in said traps. The suction and discharge pipesg and g of the pump are connected by a bypassage or pipe g3, which is provided with an automatic regulating valve or device g,

whereby communication isautomatic'ally established between thel's'uction and force or discharge sides of the pump when the' pressure on the discharge side reaches a certain predetermined. point'.

j I isa receptacle for producing a solution of certain stcrilizing agents or chemical substances and delivering it free froni'air to the puriers, which are supplied with broken.

marble or other material presenting an cxtended surface and tending to retard the flow. of gas through them.- It has a valve-comtrolled water-supply connection 7l and a pipe or hose connection i provided with a valve The and coupling at one end for attachmenttol 4 either purifier without admitting air thereto. The sterilizing agents or chemicals placed in said receptacle are dissolved andtaken `up by the water as it passes through itjinto either purifier, and destroy any organic matter carried by the gas.

J designates a condenser, which is con'- nected by a pipe j with the last of the series of puriiersand has an outletpipe j' leading from the lower part'thereof 4and provided with a reducing-valve j2, whereby the gas is l The condenser is provided with a coil js through which brine or a cooling medium is circulated,- for the purpose of condensing and collecting any moisture that may be carried by the gas from lthe puriiers. Such condensed liquid collecting at the bottom of the condenser is removed from time to time through a suitable waste valve or connection.

For the immediate4 or direct vutilization of thegas thus collected, purified and dried for recarbonatin g storage-beer, we providea carbonating device K, of any suitable construction, which may be like or Similar to that shown in United States Patent No. 519,140, dated Mayl, -1894:, and lis provided with devices for automatically regulating the supply of. gas thereto according tothe supply and pressure of beer.' It is connected with the.

gas-pipe j', which4 has a valve and coupling,

bya hose 7.', having a vvalve and coupling at `its delivery end for attachment to the carstorage casi: or tank l, and by a buv-passage.`

or pipe Z2, havingan automatic regi'llating valve or device Z3, with the force or discl'iarge pipe Z, whereby co1 n mu n icaiion is established `between the suction and discharge connections'of the pump whenever the pressure on the discharge side of the pump reaches a cervided with a reducin`g-valve Z4, by which the supply of beer to the, carbonator is regulated and maintained at--a constant pressure. The excess of bccr delivered by the pump is conducted through the by-passage'or pipe Z'l2 back to the suction-pipe Z. From the carbonator the charged beer or otherliquid is conducted by a pipe or hose 7a2 to a lter M, and thence by a pipe or hose m to the racking-bench N, where it is drawn into shipping-kegs in the usual way. lV hen the gas is not required for immediate use it may be conducted from the delivery-pipe j into a storage-tank, or may be liquefied or-comprcssed in the usual cylinders for storage, shipment and future use.

In performing our improved process by means of the apparatus f hcreinbeforc described, when open fermcnting-tubs are cmployed,'the hood or bell (L is iirst lowered into the tub,land with its hose eonnect'iona is completely immersed in the liquid, the valve (L2 in the hose connection being opened. Air is thus completelydisplaced in the hood and its connections, and when fer/mentation actively takes place in the liquid we close the valve (i2 in the hose connection and elevate the hood to the position in which it is shown at the leftin the upper tier of tubs.

rlhe system of gas-collecting pipes D DA having been first .filled with air-free gas supplied from other fermentingtubs or any convenicnt source, the valve CZ inthe adjacent hose (Z is opened, permitting` the gas to expel any air that may be contained in said hose, whichis then coupled to hose e. The valve (t2 is now opened, and as the gas is given oif by the liquid it is collected by the bell (t and conducted -through the connections above mentioned into pipe D and thence through pipe D into the receiver C.

To certainly avoid `the collection of air with gas at the outset and to-save time by beginning to collect the gas at the earliest practicable stage of fermentation, the bell (l may be connected with the gas -.collec`ting main before it is raised above the surface ofV the' liquid in thetub and gas introduced into it -the `separation of gas from the liquid. 'soon as the supply of from the liquid is ing-tubs.

from said main as it is elevated into operative position. Avery low pressure is maintained in the system of gas-collecting pipes so as not to interfere with fermentation and im pedo r s sufficient to overbalance the slight pressure in the gas-collecting system it will pass from the bell in which it accumulates, free. from air, into the main and thence through its connectionsinto the gas-receiver (l. lf gas is collected from the fermentingtubs faster than itis used, it will extend tl ic receiver and. accumulate therein. \\'hen the 'receiver `is filled and its bellengages with the stop (t5, or

from any cause the gaspressure rises above the desired limi t, it will open the safety-valve (Z, or in case that fails for any reason to opcrate the gas will displace the water column tain predeterminedpoint. l The pipe Z is proin one or both of the traps (Z5 and g2 and escape'until the pressure is reduced to normal,

the safety-valve Zl being set to open at a lower pressure than. that .requi red to displace thc vwater in either of said traps, thus avoiding objectionable baek-pressure in the fermentlV ith closed fermen tin gtubs, such as A A', the vent-valves cv ag are left open during the initial stages 'of fermentation, and

when it is desired. to collect gas therefrom the valves (Z:3 in pipes (Z2 are opened and gas is admitted from the main into the gas-colle`cting spaces of the tubs. All traces of air are thus expelled, with inoreor less gas, from the gas-collecting spaces through the vents, ai. As soon as pure gas issues from the vents they are closed, and then the gas produced by fermentation of the liquid Within the tubs accumulates thereinuntil its pressure exceeds that in the collectingsmain, whereupon it will IOO iiow free from air into said main as lonfr as 2 7 b active fermentation continues and the connection between said main and fcrmentingtubs is maintained.

rlhc operation of the open fcrmenting-tubs IIO A2 is substantially the same as that of the closed fermentin g-tubs A. At the outset the fas connection as is con led b f a hose (Z with a u a n a gas-ma1n, and the valve 1n the a1r-vent connection. al is opened. All airis thus expelledfrom the gas-collecting space inclosed by the bell over the surface of the liquid by the iniiowin g gas, and as soon as substantially pure gas issues, therefrom. the airfvent is closed. The bell being now filled with pure gas and air excluded therefrom, the pressure is increased by the accumulation of fermentingliquid until it overcomes the pressnre maintained in' the gas-collecting" pipes gas given off by the y and flows free from air to the receiver. Gas

thus collected frolnlthe fermenting-tubs may be directly employed to recarbonatc beer or similar beverages taken directly from the storage casks o1: tanks. For this purpose the beer is drawn by the pump L from a storagecask iand forced with a rcgulatedpressure through a carbonator and thence to the racking-bench for filling shipping-kegs or other ISO :receptacles The necessary supply of gas for carbonatin g the beer on its passage from the storage-Cask tothe racking-bench istaken from the receiver C and forced by pump G with a regulated pressure to the carbonator K. Thus the gas which is given off from the beer or other beverages.

A very small percentage of the g'as preduced by the fermentation of beer and other similar beverages is needed for lreearbonat- 4ing it, and while the continuous and direct recarbonating of beer is taking place the surplus gas may be accumulated in a receiver for future use or employed for other purposes.

In practice it is necessary to frequently empty and washand to occasionally dry and varnish the fermenting-tubsinside. Thus air is nnavoidably and frequently admitted thereto. For this reason and to avoid interference with the process of fermentation and interruption of the ordinary operation of a brewery, it is customary to 'place the fermcnting-tubs in different cellars or apartments and to empty, wash and refill them In acwith wort in rotation or alternation. cordancc with the usual practice it is to be understood that the fermenting-tubs of our apparatus, which are connected with the several gas-collecting pipes D D, are located in different cellars or apartments, so that some or all of the tubs in any cellar may be emptied, washed, dried and varnished without `interfering with or interrupting' the .production and collection of gas from tubs in other cellars or apartments.

Since it is customary te brew at frequent intervals, and a single brewing ordinarily-fills a number of tubs, it follows that the beer in some or all of the tubs of one or more cellars is always at rthe proper stage ofl fermentation or in condition to yield gas. It is therefore tubs simultaneously with the gas-delivery with air-vent valves d6 d6 and closely-associated shut-olf Vvalves (Z7 dl next to the delivery-main D'. Air contained in the gas-collecting spaces of any vor all tubs which are connected with any pipe D and are in condition to yield gas is expelled by the gas produced in such tubs through the common ventbeer during the process of fermentation is collected and directly re-used for carbone-ting generally desirable to connect a number ofmain, and to save the time and trouble of. venting and connecting such tubs separately we'provide the several branch collecting-pipes plained of expelling and excluding air from the fermenting-tubs nearly or quite pure carbonio-acid gas is directly obtained from the fermentation of the liquid contained therein, and this gas may be advantageously used under ordinary conditions Without further p uri- 'fication or condensation. By positively expelling air from the gas-collecting spaces of the fermenting-tubs by the introduction of pure carbonio-acid gas from the main or some other outside source gas free from air can be obtained from such tubs much sooner-.than it otherwise could be, but by waiting a sufficient length of time for the gas produced by fermentation to completely displace the aircontained inthe collecting-spaces of those tubs from which it is desired to collect air-free gas substantially the same result is secured. Although this involves someloss of time and Waste of gas, it is perfectly practicable, harticularly in large breweries where there are constantly available many different fermenting-tubs from which gas may be obtained.

Vhen economy of gas is not essential, the receiver or holder C may be disconnected for the purpose of repairing or cleansing it or it may be altogether dispensed with an d the gas delivered as it is collected from the fermenting-tubs by the main D directly to .the carbonator or other apparatus.

For the purpose of delivering gas at will to the receiver or directly to the earbonator or other apparatus, the supply and discharge pipes of the gas-holder C are provided with valves c2 and connected'below bya pipe ci provided with a valve c4. B y closing the valve c4 and opening the valves c2, the gas will be caused to pass into the gas-holder and thence to the carbonator; but .by opening the valve c4 and closing the valves ci the gas will be sluit olf from the gas-holder and caused to pass d irectly from pipe D' to the carbonator.

The hoods of the open fermentingtubs have sufficiently heavy rims to hold them steadily in place and prevent their being raised out ot' the liquid into wh ich they proj ect by the greatest gas-pressure intended to be produced in the gas-collecting system, and the bell or movable part of the gas receiverer holder C is Weighted and arranged so as to maintain or admit of a substantially constant low pressure in the gas-collecting pipes and fermenting-tubs.

Many changes in the details of the apparatus may be made without departing 4from the spirit and intended scope of our invention.

1. The method of obtaining air-free carbonio-acid gas, which consistsin hermeticallysealing a gas-collecting space communicating witha fermenting tub or vessel, with the exce tion of an air-escape, expelling through said air-escape all the air contained in said space Without admitting it into the. gas-receiver or delivery-conduit, and finally, after the air has been thus expelled, closing said air-escape and conducting off from said space I OO said vessel, substantially as set forth.

2. The method of obtaining airfree carbonio-acid gas, which consists in hermetically sealing a gas-collecting space communieati ng with a fermenting tub or vessel, With the exception of an air-escape, expelling Ithrough saidair-eseape the air contained in said space by filling the same with air-free gas, without admitting the expelled air into the gas-receiver or deliveryconduit, and finally after the air has been thus expelled', conducting oif the gas produced by the fermenting liquid in said vessel, substantially as set forth.

3. The method of obtaining air-free car- .bonic-aeid gas, Which consists in hermetically sealing against atmospheric air,

` a gas-collecting space communicating with a fermenting vtub or vessel; introducing carbonio-acid gas into said space from a sourceoutside the fermenting-vessel, and thereb f at once expelling the co'niined air and finally` connecting said spacewith a conduit or receiver and drawing oif the earbonic-aeid gas entering the collecting-chamber from the ferln enting liquid.

:4. The method`of obtaining air-free carbonic-acid gas, Which consists in herm etieally sealing a gas-collecting space comm unieati n g with a fermenting-vessel,with the exception of an air-escape, expelling all the contained air from said space through said air-escape without admitting it into the gas receiver 'or delivery main, and after'the air has beenexpolled, collecting the gasentering said space from the fermenting liquid in said vessel', and

maintaining a constant pressure greater than atmospheric pressure, whereby in the event of leakage, the outward pressure of the gas is caused to exclude atmospheric air and overprcssure in the fermenting vessel is prevented, substantially as set forth.

o. lhe herein-described operation of carbonating beer, Whichconsists in hermetically sealing a gas-collecting spaee'commnnicatin g with a fermenti-ng-tub, with the exception of an air-escape, expelling all the contained aii' from said space through said air-escape Without admitting it into the gas-delivery main or conduit, collecting Within said space after the air has been expelled therefrom, the carbonicacid gas given off by the fermenting liquid in said v essel, maintaining within said space a uniform gas-pressure but little above atmospheric pressure, withdrawing the surplus gas from said space, and finally delivering it at a higher pressure stantally set forth. y

6. rl`he herein-described method of obtain'- ing a constant supply of air-free carbonicacid gas for the direct and contin'uousearbonation of b eer, which consists in hermetically sealing gas-collecting spaces communieating with fermenting-vessels, with the cxception of ai r-eseapes, expelling through said air-escapes all thc air conta-ined in said spaces ithoui admitting it into the deliver main or conduit, closing cach air-escape when the to the carbonator, sub-- air has been completely expelled from its gascollecting space, collecting in. the air-free spaces the gas given oif by the fermenting liquid, and connecting them in succession or lalternation with the main or con duit by which ing comm unieation at will between said main and said tubs, a trap applied to said main to collect and remove moisture condensing Within said main, anda safety-valve openingfrom said main and serving to relieve orpi-event undue pressure therein.

, 8. The direct and continuous process of carbonating beer, which consists in the followsealing the fermenting-space of a fermentingvessel'with the exception o f an air-escape, and allowing carbonio-acid gas to accumulate thereinv until it complete] y drives out the contained atmospheric air and overcomes the effects of diffusion; second, closing said airvent and leading the gas thereafter produced to a conduit or receiver; third, drawing a portion of the gas from the conduit or receiver into the carbonator and utilizing the same to carbonate beer; fourth, delivering surpl us gas from the conduit orfreeeiver to the similarly-inelosed ferm entin g-space of another fermenting-vessel to eliminate atmospheric air therefrom, and thereafter connecting said space With the conduit or receiver,-diiferent fermenting-vessels being thus connected in 'succession or alternation,-Whereby a constant supply of air-free gas is delivered to the carbonator from the fermenting-vessels.

9. In combination with a receiving main or conduit, a fermenting-vessel provided With a top or closure adapted to hermetically seal or inelose a fermenting-space above the liquid `of thel vessel; avalve-controlled vent opening from said space, and serving to permit escape ofl air therefrom to the atmosphere in starting the apparatus; and a valve-controlled connection between the main and the fer.- menting-space of the vessel; whereby carbonic-acid may be introduced to drive air from the fermenting-spaee preparatory to collecting gas from the fermenting liquid, and gas from saidliquid may thereafter be deliv ered to the main or conduit free from air.

l0. In combination with a plurality of fermenting-Vessels, each provided With a top or closure adapted to hermetically seal or inclose a fermenting-space above the liquid of the vessel, valve-controlled vents through which all the air maybe removed from such without admitting it into the gas-delivery main, a main or conduit to receive gas from ing steps: first, inclosing and hermetically' spaces IOO said vessels, and valve-controlled connections adapted to establishcommunication at willbetween the main or conduit and the fermenting-space of any of said vessels.

11. In combination with a main or conduit, and with a gas-holderin' communication therewith; a series of fer1nenting-vessels each pro'- vided with a' top or closure adapted to herinetically seal or inc-lose a ferinenting-space above the liquid, valve-controlled air-vents for said tops or closures, and independent valve connections adapted to establish coinnlunication at will between the main or conduit and the fermenting-space of any of the vessels; whereby gas may be delivered from the gas-holder to' the ferinen ting-space of such vessels to drive the air therefrom, lafter which and upon closure of the air-vents, air-free gas may be delivered through the mainte the receiver and there stored for use in removing air from frcshLviilled vessels and for other purposes.

12. The herein-described apparatus for the continuous and direct carbonation` of beer, comprising the following elements in combination: a series of ferinenting-vats each pro,

vided with a closure adapted to seal or inclose a fermenting-space, and provided with a valve-controlled innesca-pc; a main or con duit; valve-controlled connectionsadapted to establish communication between the fer-v menting-spaces and the mainy at will; a gasholder in communication with said main; a earbonator; apuinp interposed between the gas-holder and the carbonator and servin g to deliver gas wholly free from airfroin the former to the latter under proper pressure;

'and a second pump communicating with a beer-supply and serving to deliver beer to the ca rbonator under proper pressure.

' 13.- Theherein-described apparatus forcontinuous and direct carbonation of` beer, con sisting of the following elements in combination: a series of fermenting-vats each pr vided with aclosure adapted to seal or inclose a fermenting-space, and provided with al valve-controlled air-escape; a main or conduit; valve-controlled connections adapted to establish communication between the fer- Inenting-space and the niain at will; .a gasholder in communication with said main; a carbonator; a. pump interposed between the gas-hold er and the carbonator'and serving-to deliver gas wholly free -trom air to the carbonator under proper pressure; la beer-supply; a second pump communicating with the beer-supply and lserving to deliver beer to the carbonator under proper pressure; a iiltcr in communication with the ,delivery of thc cnrbonator, and a racking-faucet in connnunic: tion with the filter; whereby beer may be continuously and directly carbonated b v carbonic-acid gas derived from the ferlnentingvats, while such beer is on its way from vthe supply-to the racking-bench. v

14. In a carbonic-acid-gas-collcetingapparatus of the character described, thecoinbination of a ferinenting-vessel having a seal or closure for the ferincnting-slnicc; a main or conduitto convey gas iroin said space'. and a pipe connected with the niain'and having a coupling at its. free end, provided with a valve; whereby air ina-y be excluded from. said pipe -when the latter isdisconnccted from the ferinenti'ng-space ot' the vessel.

15. In carbonic-acid-gas-collecting apparatus of the character described, the co1nbination of a number of ferinenting-vessels having seals or closures for the ferinentin g-spaces;

a niain or conduit to convey gas from said.

spaces and a pipe connected with the/main and provided with a valve at or near its junction wit-h the inain, an d ,an associated air-ventvalve between it andthe ferin@ding-vessels, substantiallyas set forth.

1G. The.herein-described operation of carbonating beer which consists in the followingy steps: tirst,inclosing and hermetically scalsel with the exception of an air-escape, and allowing carboni@ -acid gas to accumulate therein until it completely displaces the contained air and overcomes the effects of diiusion; second,.excluding the air thus displaced from the gas receiver 'or delivery-colnluit;` third, closing said air-escape and leading` the gas thereafter produced in said ferlncnting.- space into said conduitl or receiver wholly free from air; fourth, leading the air-free gas from said conduit or receiver to a carbonator and'utilizin g the salue to carbonate becirsubstantially as set forth.

In testimony that we clainl the loregoin as our own we a'ti'ix our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

JACOB F. THEURER. PAUL FISCHER. Witnesses:

ALFRED SCHEDLER, CHAs. L.- Goss.

ISO" 

